Seven villagers recently came to the army's security post, Lt.Col.Dedy Dwi Cahyadi, commanding officer of the RK 751/VJS Infantry Battalion's Task Force for Area with Security High Risk Status, informed in a press statement that ANTARA received here on Wednesday.
Three of them were ill, and wanted to see a doctor, he said.
"From the beginning, we have informed local community, customary, and religious leaders that residents need not hesitate to come to us, especially for healthcare services," he added.
Cahyadi said his men are always willing to assist villagers seeking medical care.
"We help the sick residents at our post or we are going to their houses," he said, adding that several villages in Jayawijaya district are located far away from hospitals and public health centers.
Meanwhile, the task force's doctor, Second Lieutenant Dr. Andreas, said the Walesi security post has a sufficient number of paramedics, stocks of medicines, and medical equipment.
"We can provide preventive healthcare and serve those in need of medical treatment," he remarked.
Related news: Indonesian soldiers offer mobile health services to villagers in Papua
A native Papuan woman named Karopaleke (34) recently brought her child who had injured his forehead to the Walesi security post and also received medicine for her fever, according to the press statement.
"I thank the paramedics who have helped me and my child," she said, according to the press statement.
ANTARA has earlier reported about Indonesian soldiers deployed in Papua helping locals through community services involving the provision of staple food, healthcare, mobile library, voluntary teaching, and street clean-up programs.
Early this month, soldiers stationed at Skofro Lama village, Arso Timur sub-district, Keerom district, near the Indonesia-Papua New Guinea border, built a community patrol post along with locals to stem the transmission of COVID-19.
In July, 2021, amid a resurgence in COVID-19 cases, seven soldiers donated bags of rice to native Papuans in Baidub village, Ulilin sub-district, Merauke district.
Related news: Indonesian soldiers share bags of rice with native Papuans
"We shared a little bit of what we get with our Papuan brothers and sisters," Lt. Col. Albert Frantesca, commanding officer of the 611 Infantry Battalion/Awang Long's Indonesia-Papua New Guinea Border Security Task Force, had remarked at the time.
The rice was distributed to locals by the border security checkpoint's commanding officer, Second Lieutenant Nyoman, and six soldiers. The donation was expected to help reduce the burden on villagers.
In February this year, several soldiers from the 756/WMS Infantry Battalion's security task force had offered mobile health services to residents of Beanekogom village, Tembagapura sub-district, Mimika district.
Such health services have routinely been offered as part of the task force's community service initiatives to ensure that the locals are in good health, officials said.
Related news: Soldiers in Papua conduct COVID-19 awareness campaign for villagers
Related news: Indonesian soldiers help villagers renovate church in Papua's Keerom
Translator: Muhsidin, Rahmad Nasution
Editor: Suharto
Copyright © ANTARA 2021
